Sunday, January 3, 2010

JANUARY SHOW WATCH

Because of the way the holidays fell this year, we find ourselves in the unusual position of having a weekend free of family obligations and dog shows. That’s right, there are no AKC dog shows this weekend. Well, this leaves us to find ways to entertain ourselves and our faithful readers. For us it means we have more time to look at our upcoming shows.

Postcard Perfect Palm Springs California

Now, many of you are aware of the impact the next six weeks will have on our 2010 season. But for the average exhibitor/fancier we are kicking back, recovering from the end of year celebrations and contemplating the new year. Well, while you ruminate on the upcoming season consider this. By mid February, we will have some clear front runners for the 2010 top ten. We start Thursday in the California dessert where there will be 30 limited breed & specialties in preparation for the nation’s single largest shows, the Palm Springs Kennel Club’s two shows in Indio on Saturday & Sunday. Approaching 3,000 dogs in competition on both days, a group placement can be worth as much as a BIS later in the year. A dog placing in the groups at both the limited breed shows and the two main events could collect as many as 2,000 points without winning a BIS.

Portland Oregon Waterfront

Rivaling Palm Springs in size are the Portland OR shows starting on Thursday, January 21st. The four shows hosted by the Tualatin Kennel Club & the Dog Fanciers Association Of Oregon will put 10,000 points up for grabs. 2009 top ten dogs, the Scottish Terrier, CH Roundtown Mercedes Of Maryscot, & the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, CH Rokeena Carte Blanche, got head starts on the rest of the top ten with BIS wins in Portland in 2009. But for sheer volume, you can’t beat the ten shows in Brooksville FL north of Tampa Bay running from the 14th through the 24th. With over 15,000 points up for grabs, a good showing there could keep a dog in the top ten for the first half of the year. Five of our 2009 top ten picked up substantial points in last years’ January Florida circuit.

Sunshine Skyway Bridge Tampa Bay Florida

So if you want to know Whom to Watch at Westminster, take a close look at these three sites this month. We will have all the back stories right here as they happen.

NUMBER EIGHT

NUMBER NINE

NUMBER TEN

SHOW INFO

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The author has been attending dog shows as a spectator and exhibitor for over 45 years. He is a retired management consultant who has advised multiple organizations affiliated with the AKC and the Cat Fanciers Association on business management, long range planning, customer service, and legislative matters. After 25 years of living in the big cities of New York, San Francisco, and Washington, DC, he now resides in his hometown of Memphis, TN.

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